New York - As More Students Come Forward Allegations Continue That Yeshiva University Covered Up Abuse Scandal |
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FILENew York - Following an explosive article in last week’s Forward newspaper alleging sexual misconduct on the part of two Yeshiva University staff members, an additional 14 men have gone on record saying they, too, were abused by Rabbi George Finkelstein between the years 1968 and 1995 at Yeshiva University High School for Boys in Manhattan (http://bit.ly/UQPF4e).
The stories of abuse detailed by these former victims reveal that not only were the higher-ups at YU and Rabbinical Council of America officials aware of the numerous allegations against Finkelstein, but they aided in covering up the accusations since the mid-1980s. In fact, when Finkelstein’s most recent employer, the Jerusalem Great Synagogue asked YU if the allegations against Finkelstein were true, YU told the synagogue there was no cause for concern.
Jerusalem Great Synagogue’s general director, Zev Lanton, said former synagogue president Maurice Wohl “spoke to the responsible authorities at YU, who denied the charges outright. Later, the same authority, upon visiting Israel, offered similar denials, both to the chairman of the board of the synagogue and the vice president.” Mr. Lanton declined to immediately disclose the identity of this YU authority. Finkelstein resigned immediately from his 11-year-post as executive director at the synagogue when the Forward story was published.
Rabbi Macy Gordon, who also had sexual abuse charges lobbed against him during his tenure as a Talmud teacher from 1956 to 1984, has been put on a “leave of absence” from the Orthodox Union’s Israel Center where he is employed as a teacher.
Finkelstein was never questioned about the allegations during his 27 years at YU High School, and he went on to serve six years as the principal at the Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School in North Miami Beach, Florida.
The Forward attempted to determine if any complaints had been made against Finkelstein during his tenure at the Florida school, but chief operating officer Rafael Quintero was “extremely busy” and did not comment. The Jerusalem Great Synagogue was notified four years ago that Finkelstein “had been summoned to [Israeli] police following a complaint reiterating [an abuse allegation].”
“Rabbi Finkelstein informed the executive board that in his interview with the police, he insisted that he be submitted to a polygraph test on the spot,” according to Mr. Lanton. “The police responded that this would not be necessary. No further action was taken by the police.”
Current YU President Richard Joel declined repeated requests for an interview with the Forward. In another statement issued yesterday, YU said it “continues to examine with concern the allegations of past abuse recently reported in the media. A subcommittee of the Board of Trustees is working with the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell as outside Counsel, who is assisting us in investigating the allegations and consulting with nationally recognized specialists in this area to review our policies and procedures.”
RCA President Shmuel Goldin praised Joel for “his forthright response and statement of concern.” He added, “When you compare this community to others, at least what you are getting is an immediate expression that we are going to deal with this, not that we are going to sweep this under the rug. Our position is, individuals who are aware of such allegations should go directly to the authorities…And anything short of that does not satisfy that position.”
But Goldin cautioned that Finkelstein and Gordon “deserve to have a fair hearing on these allegations,” saying, “Nobody should be tried on the pages of a newspaper.”
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Read Comments (49) — Post Yours »
1
Dec 20, 2012 at 11:21 AM inNY Says:Report as Inappropriate
So now will all chasidim say that The Forward is only looking to shed bad light on Satmars???
2
Dec 20, 2012 at 11:33 AM SHMOO2 Says:Report as Inappropriate
Not only is Rabbi Finklestein no longer in the school system, he's no longer in this COUNTRY- what exactly is the tachlis that permits all this Loshon Horah about him?
3
Dec 20, 2012 at 12:13 PM bennyt Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Not only is Rabbi Finklestein no longer in the school system, he's no longer in this COUNTRY- what exactly is the tachlis that permits all this Loshon Horah about him? ”
Since when does his geographical location have anything to do with exposing a coverup involving the possible sexual abuse of young teenagers in a yeshiva?
4
Dec 20, 2012 at 12:06 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Not only is Rabbi Finklestein no longer in the school system, he's no longer in this COUNTRY- what exactly is the tachlis that permits all this Loshon Horah about him? ”
Were you so concerned about Lushon Hora when they were talking about the satmars abuse?
5
Dec 20, 2012 at 12:04 PM Yiddl Says:Report as Inappropriate
I am wondering that if in the past this was the way they dealt with it, then probably the rabbonim (The RAV) of these insitutions held that this is the torah way to deal with it.
6
Dec 20, 2012 at 12:01 PM kehati Says:Report as Inappropriate
Once again, please notice the difference - YU makes no attempt to villify the victims of the alleged abuse
7
Dec 20, 2012 at 11:40 AM yosefben Says:Report as Inappropriate
#1 what is your problem? As a Chassid - but more so as a person with compassion - your statement is unnecessary and inconsiderate! What is necessary is our concern for those that have been molested in any manner whether they are MO, Chassidishe, Reform, etc!
8
Dec 20, 2012 at 12:26 PM yosefben Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Once again, please notice the difference - YU makes no attempt to villify the victims of the alleged abuse ”
#6 I hope you feel better reminding everyone of that.............. who cares!!!!
9
Dec 20, 2012 at 12:31 PM enlightened-yid Says:Report as Inappropriate
Last year or so, we had articles about psychiatrists force medicating "troubled" students in Israel by orders of gedolim. The practice was dangerous and unethical but it still goes on behind covers. Maybe the same gedolim can order chemical castrations for their friends and buddies who take prominent roles as educators, unlicensed therapists and mikva managers as soon as multiple allegations of abuse surface? This Finklestien guy abuses students for decades then pressure gets too high, so he hides in Israel and even there he continues his abuse. Otherwise why would allegations surface in Israel to the point of police attention when the entire story was heavily covered up in the U.S.? Abusers are like heroin addicts, they don't stop or reform. In communities they hide under their titles and prominent roles so for decades they escape scrutiny as no one wants to belie that a tzadik who is a popular teacher or principal would do this.
10
Dec 20, 2012 at 12:32 PM MAYERFREUND Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Not only is Rabbi Finklestein no longer in the school system, he's no longer in this COUNTRY- what exactly is the tachlis that permits all this Loshon Horah about him? ”
Please show where in the sefer chofetz chaim does it say that loshon hora is allowed if the person is still in this country.
11
Dec 20, 2012 at 12:40 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I am wondering that if in the past this was the way they dealt with it, then probably the rabbonim (The RAV) of these insitutions held that this is the torah way to deal with it. ”
The torah position never changes, if it was the torah way then is it the torah way now, if it is wrong now - it was wrong then, but look how twisted you are, you are fine with cover up if it is the RAV.
12
Dec 20, 2012 at 12:51 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
This is a perfect example of Weberman’s innocence, within a week the Finklestein story broke you have 14 men come forward, the history of a pedophile is a repeat offender, in the 12 years Weberman was in business you have only one troubled girl who screwed around with other boys since the age of 14, the DA did not find a shred of evidence on his computer, email, text, phone records, files, photos in 12 years, do you notice a different pattern? But he is Satmar.
13
Dec 20, 2012 at 01:04 PM ESmith Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Please show where in the sefer chofetz chaim does it say that loshon hora is allowed if the person is still in this country. ”
There has been p'sak from prominent gedolim in the US that when there is an allegation of abuse (not proof) the police should be called in, even with all the halachos against doing that. This is a time of danger in this regard, and normal rules do not apply.
14
Dec 20, 2012 at 01:06 PM yaakov doe Says:Report as Inappropriate
This just indicates that the problem is not justy within 1 chasidus, but athough rare exists in all segments of our community. I would assume that such activities are more prevelent in the rest of society since they are not constantly reminded of a higher authority than the civil law.
15
Dec 20, 2012 at 01:15 PM maxedout Says:Report as Inappropriate
It is quite obvious now that we have quite a bit of issues in the past that are now coming to the surface. We cannot change the past, however, we can do something about the future. It is imperative on ALL Rabbonim - Modern, litvish, chasidish, etc to man up and show that this behavior will no longer be tolerated. We cannot allow these Rabbonim to sweep this under the rug anymore. And any Rav who cannot or will not take action should no longer be respected. It is time for these people to work with those who are trying to protect our children. I, for one, am appalled at the Satmar Rebbe for publicly denouncing this poor girl in the Weberman case and calling her all sorts of names. Sorry, this is NOT the way to lead.
16
Dec 20, 2012 at 01:23 PM favish Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Not only is Rabbi Finklestein no longer in the school system, he's no longer in this COUNTRY- what exactly is the tachlis that permits all this Loshon Horah about him? ”
learn mes eirchun 15,16 and you'll understand why hilchos lashan horah dont apply here. When ehrlicher yidden try to prerserve kedusham am yisroel with busses, other hilchos yichud. pictures of women in ehrlicher weeklies etc(yes, you all dont observe the mitzvoh of' lo...achrei eineichem' )you are the first to mock. Oh yes, we know all ehrlicher yidden are child molesters. connivers , tax evaders.....
17
Dec 20, 2012 at 01:28 PM sammi1195 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Not only is Rabbi Finklestein no longer in the school system, he's no longer in this COUNTRY- what exactly is the tachlis that permits all this Loshon Horah about him? ”
This reply is to #10 as well - WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ABUSE OF CHILDREN - stop missing the forest for the trees. And if this helps keep this or other sick men away from children here or in Israel and if this report reminds Jewish institutions that they need to be RESPONSBILE to the children they educate and not hide this type of disgusting behavior for whatever misguided reason, then I would say this "Lashon hara" is actually a mitzvah!
18
Dec 20, 2012 at 01:40 PM The_Truth Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Please show where in the sefer chofetz chaim does it say that loshon hora is allowed if the person is still in this country. ”
It states explicitly that, "once 3 people know about anything, then it is permitted to post comments on VIN (HaGo"H: or other websites)"
19
Dec 20, 2012 at 01:43 PM Lodzker Says:Report as Inappropriate
I dont understand, I thought this only happens in the repressive chassidic and haredi comunities, and can not be found in the modern enlightened orthodox world?
20
Dec 20, 2012 at 01:52 PM MODJEW70 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ #6 I hope you feel better reminding everyone of that.............. who cares!!!! ”
Who cares?? So it is OK to vilify victims?
21
Dec 20, 2012 at 02:12 PM yosefben Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Who cares?? So it is OK to vilify victims? ”
Sorry, I did not intend to intimate that - if you read my post just before that one you would have seen that. My statement was in jest because there seems to be such an overriding attempt for some people to continue trying to separate the trauma perpetrated by Satmar vs that done by non- Chassidim. We are all Yidden and the victims are the same light of HKBH...read post 7
22
Dec 20, 2012 at 02:19 PM ThisisInsane Says:Report as Inappropriate
Can anyone please explain what the purpose after so many years to throw mud on people even if true? we are getting crazier by the day with all this child abuse stories.People who are now forty/fifty/sixty years old have a new topic to discuss:were you molested?oh i was molested,was your brother molested?oh my father was molested.
OH you poking fun at the victims?no im not People,its sick out there and getting sicker.
23
Dec 20, 2012 at 02:33 PM StevenWright Says:Report as Inappropriate
Why is it that victims are silent for 2 decades, then suddenly come forward when a sensational headline appears? Where were they till now? The fact that the news became public about the perpetrator makes it more comfortable for them to suddenly come forward. Not saying the problem doesn't exist, but something is rather strange here....
24
Dec 20, 2012 at 02:40 PM Sherree Says:Report as Inappropriate
I believe more and more stories and information on many institutions and many people will begin to emerge. I only hope that they choose more reliable sources than biased newspapers and media to report their stories to. I would much prefer that they choose an advocate group, or an advocate such as AdKanEnough, or Joel Engelman or his mom Pearl, who have told their own story in public but do not go around bashing anyone, or Rabbi Yanky Horowitz who is always helping research the information and helping victims, to relate their stories to. Or even a respectable investigative reporter who has always been willing to do the right thing by victims such as Mary Murphy or Michael Orbach. I for one want to give victims an opportunity to tell their stories and to heal from their nightmares as well as warn others against their abusers. However, I don't particularly appreciate when victims go to those who relish the opportunity to divulge these details and may or may not be reporting the information in an unbiased and truthful manner. That is all I am saying and that is my suggestion. I don't appreciate explosive and exploitive journalism. I do appreciate the truth and support victims.
25
Dec 20, 2012 at 03:12 PM Sherree Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ This is a perfect example of Weberman’s innocence, within a week the Finklestein story broke you have 14 men come forward, the history of a pedophile is a repeat offender, in the 12 years Weberman was in business you have only one troubled girl who screwed around with other boys since the age of 14, the DA did not find a shred of evidence on his computer, email, text, phone records, files, photos in 12 years, do you notice a different pattern? But he is Satmar. ”
I can't help feeling that this newspaper is slanted in their reporting and biased against the orthodox world. This is nothing new. So although I believe the reports and hope that ALL the victims come forward with their reports I don't believe that they should bring their accusations and testimony to this particular newspaper. I do believe, however that there should be an independent panel of non-biased individuals that should be set up to take the information. I would suggest a Rabbi from another community , a therapist, an attorney and an advocate. I am sure it would NOT be too difficult for such a group to be organized for this very important task. Once this panel is organized this information can be posted in EVERY newspaper and internet media so that victims will have an email address to contact with their story. The panel would each be forwarded the information and should meet to discuss the information and decide how to proceed. Such a panel would surely be able to ask the right questions of YU, RCA and the individuals in question. They and the others can each issue a report to the media on their findings. Victims need a safe arena in which to open up and be heard
26
Dec 20, 2012 at 03:16 PM hindsight2020 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ This is a perfect example of Weberman’s innocence, within a week the Finklestein story broke you have 14 men come forward, the history of a pedophile is a repeat offender, in the 12 years Weberman was in business you have only one troubled girl who screwed around with other boys since the age of 14, the DA did not find a shred of evidence on his computer, email, text, phone records, files, photos in 12 years, do you notice a different pattern? But he is Satmar. ”
The issue of child molestation is an epidemic in all societies not specifically in the Jewish coulter. And these allegations made on Yeshiva University on a story that happened 30 years ago does not prove anyone’s innocence. What it proves is as follows: Yeshiva University has come a long way since then; they have established a hotline where any student who feels he has been violated can call and even stay confidential, and the appropriate measures will be taken on the offender. Their staff is professionally trained on how to handle these unfortunate situations. And that is why more former Yeshiva University came out because they are not afraid that they will be terrorized. Satmar on the other hand does not do any of these things to prevent this problem and moreover they are not helping the victims. Instead they terrorize anyone who only thinks that Mr. Weberman may be guilty. So, do you expect that all his victims should come out? They are afraid they will be terrorized. Finally, the real question is not whether these perverts should be reported; the question is how we can prevent them from being in reach to our children and support previous victims. Yeshiva University seems to be doing a good job.
27
Dec 20, 2012 at 03:17 PM MAYERFREUND Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ There has been p'sak from prominent gedolim in the US that when there is an allegation of abuse (not proof) the police should be called in, even with all the halachos against doing that. This is a time of danger in this regard, and normal rules do not apply. ”
According to you please explain why is #2 excluded from this p'sak
28
Dec 20, 2012 at 03:19 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Once again, please notice the difference - YU makes no attempt to villify the victims of the alleged abuse ”
They tried to cover it, didn't they?
29
Dec 20, 2012 at 03:28 PM Sherree Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why is it that victims are silent for 2 decades, then suddenly come forward when a sensational headline appears? Where were they till now? The fact that the news became public about the perpetrator makes it more comfortable for them to suddenly come forward. Not saying the problem doesn't exist, but something is rather strange here.... ”
Steven, it takes a lot of courage to come forward and to talk publicly about your abuse. It takes a lot of courage to allow the terrible nightmares that one buries deep inside themselves to come to the surface and actually face them and deal with them. For many it takes decades to be strong enough to let it happen, for some they will never allow those horrible things to surface and their lives reflect the baggage they refuse to deal with. For some, they take their own lives just to stop the nightmares and memories. No one can judge how a victims feels, what they choose to do, or how long it takes them to face the realities of their situation.
30
Dec 20, 2012 at 03:14 PM oiber-chacham Says:Report as Inappropriate
in the last few years we had quiet a few chareidi yeshiva's and schools, accused of
covering up molestations,in all those years,not one word was mentioned on VIN,
now all of a sudden,when it is a modern orthodox school,VIN is all over the story,
just wondering if it's possible we have a double standard here?
i would hate to think so.
31
Dec 20, 2012 at 04:33 PM InNY Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ in the last few years we had quiet a few chareidi yeshiva's and schools, accused of
covering up molestations,in all those years,not one word was mentioned on VIN,
now all of a sudden,when it is a modern orthodox school,VIN is all over the story,
just wondering if it's possible we have a double standard here?
i would hate to think so. ”
Please point which Charedi Yeshivah had more then a dozen students come forward publicly that gave names of Rabbis who molested them??
Non exsist
32
Dec 20, 2012 at 04:41 PM ThisisInsane Says:Report as Inappropriate
What courage when courage all it takes to be meshuga.All crazies who encourage people to tell their abuse stories after twenty years are driving people nuts.Let them live their lives.The world is getting sicker by each day.
At the shabbos table we got a new topic:
Were you abused?oh,totty was abused,was rebbe yankel an abuser?oh,he abused cousin micky,was chany abused?also leah was abused.This is sick
33
Dec 20, 2012 at 04:42 PM shredready Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ #6 I hope you feel better reminding everyone of that.............. who cares!!!! ”
It is a very important fact that needs to be repeated loudly.
This is why in the yu case others can speak up. Where in the ultra
Orthodox they cannot even after a conviction
34
Dec 20, 2012 at 04:43 PM shredready Says:Report as Inappropriate
Why being it up now, he is still alive and can abuse again
35
Dec 20, 2012 at 04:46 PM oiber-chacham Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Please point which Charedi Yeshivah had more then a dozen students come forward publicly that gave names of Rabbis who molested them??
Non exsist ”
you know very well the answer to your question,how could you have missed it ?,it was all over the newspapers,radio and t.v,let me give you a hint,maybe that will jolt your memory,one of the yeshiva"s is located on ocean parkway,the other one is in Williamsburgh,and on top of that one of the rebbe's was found guilty in court,but did you read anything about it on VIN or in Hamodia or the Yated,of course not
36
Dec 20, 2012 at 05:13 PM inNY Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ you know very well the answer to your question,how could you have missed it ?,it was all over the newspapers,radio and t.v,let me give you a hint,maybe that will jolt your memory,one of the yeshiva"s is located on ocean parkway,the other one is in Williamsburgh,and on top of that one of the rebbe's was found guilty in court,but did you read anything about it on VIN or in Hamodia or the Yated,of course not ”
With all due respect VIN had the Kolko story and the Reichman story... you'r just here to dig up critic where it really don't exist..
37
Dec 20, 2012 at 04:52 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ The issue of child molestation is an epidemic in all societies not specifically in the Jewish coulter. And these allegations made on Yeshiva University on a story that happened 30 years ago does not prove anyone’s innocence. What it proves is as follows: Yeshiva University has come a long way since then; they have established a hotline where any student who feels he has been violated can call and even stay confidential, and the appropriate measures will be taken on the offender. Their staff is professionally trained on how to handle these unfortunate situations. And that is why more former Yeshiva University came out because they are not afraid that they will be terrorized. Satmar on the other hand does not do any of these things to prevent this problem and moreover they are not helping the victims. Instead they terrorize anyone who only thinks that Mr. Weberman may be guilty. So, do you expect that all his victims should come out? They are afraid they will be terrorized. Finally, the real question is not whether these perverts should be reported; the question is how we can prevent them from being in reach to our children and support previous victims. Yeshiva University seems to be doing a good job. ”
you didn't answer the question, Weberman has only ONE accuser, you may say 1000 times that victims are afraid to come forward, still there is only one accuser. vs. YU we know now that there was a cover up but you wont admit.
38
Dec 20, 2012 at 04:50 PM sofam Says:Report as Inappropriate
I am fed up with all this molesters and guess what? Kids off the derech= to kids who where sexually molested 99.9% of the time, and because they were covered up years ago, this rotzchim abused as many kids and now this are the many hundreds of kids who are reacting to the trauma they encountered while their ppor parents are going through Gehenom , from people judging the parents, the kids themselves while these sick animals destroyed neshomos from klal yisroel!!!!!
39
Dec 20, 2012 at 05:27 PM Sherree Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ What courage when courage all it takes to be meshuga.All crazies who encourage people to tell their abuse stories after twenty years are driving people nuts.Let them live their lives.The world is getting sicker by each day.
At the shabbos table we got a new topic:
Were you abused?oh,totty was abused,was rebbe yankel an abuser?oh,he abused cousin micky,was chany abused?also leah was abused.This is sick ”
Insane is someone who thinks they have the right to tell an abuse victim how to heal. Healing begins with confronting the issues. Unless you deal with what happened how can you heal from it? Furthermore, how can you stop an abuser from hurting other victims, something that a victim worries about all the time, if they don't come forward?
So for the sake of the victims who we certainly want to be able to heal and NOT become insane, I will still encourage to find there voice and speak up!!
40
Dec 20, 2012 at 05:55 PM LionofZion Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I dont understand, I thought this only happens in the repressive chassidic and haredi comunities, and can not be found in the modern enlightened orthodox world? ”
You will not see any MO fundraiser in a wedding hall for this guy.
41
Dec 20, 2012 at 06:01 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why is it that victims are silent for 2 decades, then suddenly come forward when a sensational headline appears? Where were they till now? The fact that the news became public about the perpetrator makes it more comfortable for them to suddenly come forward. Not saying the problem doesn't exist, but something is rather strange here.... ”
I don't think anyone thinks it though, but there is abuse and there is abuse. It is terrible when a Rabbi (or priest or uncle or guy in the Mikvah) puts his hands where they don't belong. But to have full relations with a 14 year old girl or doing the same with a boy is a whole other level of terrible. One gets you a couple of years in jail and separation from ever being with kids. The other should get you 25 years in the slammer and disrupt your life so that you can never hurt society again.
Nobody wants to be graphic in descriptions, but it is important to keep in mind that not all crimes are the same.
42
Dec 20, 2012 at 07:54 PM BLONDI Says:Report as Inappropriate
if a tree falls in the forest, and no one hears it, does it make a noise? YES. a lot of abuse has taken place, and we still dont want to hear the cries....and if we hear the cries, we dont want to admit to it....so, basically, the children, and their children, all suffer. we really are stupid!!!!
43
Dec 21, 2012 at 12:03 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I am fed up with all this molesters and guess what? Kids off the derech= to kids who where sexually molested 99.9% of the time, and because they were covered up years ago, this rotzchim abused as many kids and now this are the many hundreds of kids who are reacting to the trauma they encountered while their ppor parents are going through Gehenom , from people judging the parents, the kids themselves while these sick animals destroyed neshomos from klal yisroel!!!!! ”
Sofam, please back up your claim that 99.9% of kids who are OTD were sexually molested.
44
Dec 21, 2012 at 12:09 AM jack-l Says:Report as Inappropriate
shalom
sherrie understands only too well. However "thisisinsane" is.
We should stop being chachamim quibbling over which sect ,how many victims, how often , how long ago. This is horrible..disgusting. ,We are talking about yiddishe neshomos. My father Z`l a tatooed holocaust survivor said " hitler didnt make a diffrence so neither should we" . This plague is a stain on us all. It happens everywhere .. no immunity The professionals have been telling us that its going to get worse and every revelation shows they are correct . They also tell us that many abusers were themselves abused. Many of those abused will become abusers.
Horrible things happened and and some well intended decisions turned out wrong. but now we have to get our heads out of the sand.
The safety of our children is paramount. Full stop. Think about it for a moment. Outside our homes we expect and depend on goverment agencies , civil authorities and municipal services to keep us our children safe .
Let em do their job Just check on them too No one is immune.
May Hashem watch over us
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Dec 21, 2012 at 12:53 AM matt123 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ This is a perfect example of Weberman’s innocence, within a week the Finklestein story broke you have 14 men come forward, the history of a pedophile is a repeat offender, in the 12 years Weberman was in business you have only one troubled girl who screwed around with other boys since the age of 14, the DA did not find a shred of evidence on his computer, email, text, phone records, files, photos in 12 years, do you notice a different pattern? But he is Satmar. ”
Definitely notice a different pattern. By Satmar they vilify the victim and make it almost certain that no one will come forward. By YU no one is victim bashing, so it is easier to come forward.
Btw, with Weberman, Charlie Hynes claims they are aware of other cases of abuse but they are not able to be prosecuted. Also, there have been a number of anonymous posts from people claiming to have been abused or knowing someone abused by Weberman. Unfortunately, as long as the community will greatly stigmatize and harass a victim it is hard to see many people coming forward.
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Dec 21, 2012 at 07:38 AM sofam Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Sofam, please back up your claim that 99.9% of kids who are OTD were sexually molested. ”
The proof: my own kid is OTD and after seeking help on how to deal with him , therapist, support group, rabbonim, and hearing from other parents who know their kids where sexually molested when youngsters, and hearing from former OTD kids who now came back confide to parents who are going through this with their own children, that they were sexually molested and last but not least my own kid just confided in me that he was sexually molested but after 2 years of going to therapy.Bottom line : no yidishe
Kid wants to be bad....but they are victims of sexual trauma and unfortunately takes years to heal
47
Dec 21, 2012 at 10:18 AM mashi Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ This is a perfect example of Weberman’s innocence, within a week the Finklestein story broke you have 14 men come forward, the history of a pedophile is a repeat offender, in the 12 years Weberman was in business you have only one troubled girl who screwed around with other boys since the age of 14, the DA did not find a shred of evidence on his computer, email, text, phone records, files, photos in 12 years, do you notice a different pattern? But he is Satmar. ”
Doesn't matter if it's 1 girl or hundred if he did it then hes guilty We know that even in goyisha courts they do need some kind of evidence and with the yu thing people started to come forward so maybe it is actually true. But please do not compare
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Dec 21, 2012 at 03:19 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ The proof: my own kid is OTD and after seeking help on how to deal with him , therapist, support group, rabbonim, and hearing from other parents who know their kids where sexually molested when youngsters, and hearing from former OTD kids who now came back confide to parents who are going through this with their own children, that they were sexually molested and last but not least my own kid just confided in me that he was sexually molested but after 2 years of going to therapy.Bottom line : no yidishe
Kid wants to be bad....but they are victims of sexual trauma and unfortunately takes years to heal ”
"The proof: my own kid is OTD and after seeking help on how to deal with him , therapist, support group, rabbonim, and hearing from other parents who know their kids where sexually molested when youngsters, and hearing from former OTD kids who now came back confide to parents who are going through this with their own children"
My heart goes out to you and your family. My 3 nieces (they are cousins and not from the same family) just told their parents about being molested when they were 11, 9 and 14 by different teachers in their Yeshivas. We are afraid of the consequences now. It seems kids in school are going to counselors and discussing this which is a good thing.
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Dec 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Doesn't matter if it's 1 girl or hundred if he did it then hes guilty We know that even in goyisha courts they do need some kind of evidence and with the yu thing people started to come forward so maybe it is actually true. But please do not compare ”
your comparing torah and court?